Habermas, Jürgen (f. 1929)
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German philosopher and social historian. His doctoral dissertation, published in 1962, was an analysis of the genesis of the European bourgeoisie, and hence of the origins of Capitalism. Later, he focused on discussions of Late Capitalism, and - increasingly - on a defense of rational public debate. He was skeptical to much of the postmodern movement, claiming that its extreme relativism undermined the basis of critical political judgement.